David Hockney and Ed Ruscha

The Essential L.A. Artists

Projection of David Hockney Painting LA in 1980, The Lightroom, London, All Photos by Author

“Large Trademark with Eight Spotlights”, 1962, Ed Ruscha, Museum of Modern Art, NY

I would never have thought of linking the superstar artists David Hockney and Ed Ruscha. I would never have remarked on any similarities between the two contemporary living painters, other than the fact that they are two favorites of mine.

And probably two favorites of everyone who follows contemporary art.

When I think of Ruscha, the first notions that come to my mind are of witty painted wordplay, portrayals of quotidian ephemera on canvas, and the use of unusual media. With Hockney, my brain’s imagery is flooded with saturated colors, technological feats, unusual perspective and swimming pools.

But I happened to visit the Ruscha retrospective last week at New York’s Museum of Modern Art and I also caught the Hockney video-surround immersive installation in London.

And I began to focus on their comparability.

They are exactly the same vintage; Hockey and Ruscha were both born in 1937.

They both are long-time transplanted Los Angelenos. Ruscha arrived from Oklahoma to the City of Angels at age 19 to study at Chouinard Art Institute…